LUNA 2400: Concept of a Lunar Gas Accelerator with a Hydrogen Cushion for Delivering Water Ice to the Earth–Moon Lagrange Point L1

A concept is proposed for a lunar gas accelerator, LUNA‑2400, intended to launch uncrewed cargo modules filled with water ice from the vicinity of the lunar surface to the Earth–Moon Lagrange point L1. The accelerator is a linear launch facility with an 800 m barrel length and an internal diameter of 1.48 m, operating in natural vacuum. The goal is to accelerate a sealed cylindrical “truck” of about 12 t to ~2400 m/s in a single shot, using gas-dynamic methods: an initial boost from hydrogen–oxygen combustion products and a subsequent impulse from a compressed hydrogen cushion with late-stage oxidizer injection. The paper presents the overall system architecture, principal operating modes, and a possible mission profile. Many implementation details, including specific element designs and operating modes, are deliberately omitted or generalized to preserve patenting potential.